Video Model
Source: Brooke Bailey

Brooke Bailey

Don Imus. Sorry. Had to go there. I know you've heard enough but...hold on...what about the part of the conversation focusing on hip hop's role in what Imus said? Oh no!...teeth gnashing and laptops slamming shut all over town! BUT...if you have problems with rap and/or hip hop (and yes, we know, they are different genres), OR if you have problems with the people who have problems with rap and/or hip hop...why NOT have the conversation?

So, we're asking, what's next for hip hop?

We kicked it off yesterday with MC Lyte...a pioneering rap star, and also one of the first breakout women rap artists.

Today — let's go to the videotape — what about the role of women in making hip hop what it is?...especially the models (and no, I won't use the term some use) who provide the "beautiful scenery" in so many music videos. What do they think about the whole scene? What indeed? So we talk to Brooke Bailey — her latest work can be seen on Lil' Bootsie and Lil Webbie's "Wipe Me Down" — about what SHE thinks about the way women are depicted in her line of work. She says she's able to separate it from who she actually is...Is this possible?

What do you think?

Plus, we talk to a former "video vixen" who has some issues with the whole situation — Karrine Steffans — whose memoir of her exploits in front of the camera and, I must say it, beneath the sheets was a book club favorite in some quarters.

I don't know about you, but I found the conversation fascinating, especially since we were also joined by an eminent thinker about the role of black women in society — Dr.Johnetta Cole, outgoing president of Bennett College and former President of Spelman College — two foremost institutions of higher learning for black women.

Check it out...

Maybe you're in a profession that requires you to explain that it's "fantasy" and not reality. We'd be interested in hearing from you...

And one more thing, the photo of Brooke — we're not going to play you — that's NOT the way it appears on her website. Let's just say there's more, but less, to the pic. You get what I'm saying.